Space & Astronomy/Space and Astronomy (October 1993).iso/mac/TEXT/SPACEDIG/V13_0/V13_083.TXT

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Subject: SPACE Digest V13 #083

SPACE Digest                                      Volume 13 : Issue 83

Today's Topics:
  Underwater tests gather data to help spacesuit design (Forwarded)
             Re: THE BLUE PLANET
           Spaceflight:  New Delta Launcher
              Re: HUBBLE REPORT
           Re: space news from Dec 17 AW&ST
   The Lotus Info CD, a.k.a. the ultimate junk mail address book ..
              Voyager Update - 01/23/91
            Spacing Organizations
           Explanatory Supplement to the AA
             Galileo Update #3 - 01/24/91

Administrivia:

    Submissions to the SPACE Digest/sci.space should be mailed to
  [e-mail].  Other mail, esp. [un]subscription requests,
  should be sent to [e-mail], or, if urgent, to
             [e-mail]

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: 24 Jan 91 18:58:57 GMT
From: trident.arc.nasa.gov![e-mail]  (Peter E. Yee)
Subject: Underwater tests gather data to help spacesuit design (Forwarded)

Sarah Keegan
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                   January 24, 1991
(Phone:  [phone])

Jane Hutchison
Ames Research Center, Mountain View, Calif.
(Phone:  [phone])


RELEASE:  91-11

UNDERWATER TESTS GATHER DATA TO HELP SPACESUIT DESIGN

     Scuba divers exercising on a unique underwater treadmill at
NASA's Ames Research Center, Mountain View, Calif., may help
scientists design better spacesuits for future astronauts working
on the Moon or Mars.

     "We hope to answer the basic questions of how human movement
and energy consumption will differ in the reduced gravity on the
Moon and Mars," said the study's Principal Investigator Dava J.
Newman, a doctoral candidate in aeronautical and astronautical
engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

     Newman and Co-investigator Dr. Bruce Webbon of Ames's
Advanced Life Support Division also hope to learn at what speed
humans change from walking to running and how much the joints
move during various gaits.  Another objective is to determine
what kind of gait is most effective in different gravity fields
and what energy expenditures are associated with those gaits.

     Three men and three women, all certified scuba divers
between 20 and 40 years old, are participating in the tests
conducted on a treadmill designed by Newman for underwater use.

     Each experiment run consists of six 30-minute sessions.  The
first session is a control experiment conducted outside Ames's
Neutral Buoyancy Test Facility (NBTF).  The NBTF is a water-
filled cylindrical tank 9 feet deep and 11 feet in diameter.

     Because water immersion is an effective technique to
simulate reduced gravity, the remaining sessions take place
inside the NBTF.  Five different gravity conditions, or "g's",
are simulated:  zero g, one-sixth g, three-eighths g, two-thirds
g and 1 g (normal Earth gravity).

     By varying the number and placement of ballast weights
distributed in seven regions on the diver's body, Newman can
change the diver's buoyancy and thus simulate various
gravitational conditions.

     Each diver wears a commercial diving face mask.  Air is
provided through a supply hose from a surface tank.  Heart rate
data and measurements of carbon dioxide exhaled and oxygen
consumed by the diver indicate how hard the person is working
under a specific workload and gravity field.

     During each test session, Newman controls treadmill speed
while the diver keeps pace with the treadmill belt.  Each diver
exercises at levels corresponding to 10 percent, 40 percent and
70 percent of the maximum work he or she is able to perform as
measured by maximum oxygen consumption.

     The treadmill is equipped with a platform that measures the
force of each step, from which vertical speed and duration of
each step can be calculated.  The degree and amount of leg, arm
and torso movements are recorded on video.

     "Because humans have evolved under the influence of normal
Earth gravity, their muscles and joints probably will respond
differently under partial gravity," Newman said.  She hopes her
research will provide basic information about these differences.

     Newman believes such information may directly impact the
design of advanced spacesuits and portable life support
systems.  For example, designers need to know how much mobility
astronauts' spacesuits should have to let them work most
efficiently under various gravity forces.

     The study, which is scheduled for completion this spring,
may lead to improved spacesuit thermal control systems by
providing a basic measure of energy expenditures under various
gravitational forces.

     Newman's tests also may lead to development of a training
program to help astronauts simulate specific tasks and experience
partial gravity prior to space flight.

    - end -

NOTE TO EDITORS:  Still photographs and a video to accompany this
release are available by calling 202/453-8375.

 Photos:    B&W          Color
          91-H-48       91-HC-59

------------------------------

Date: 24 Jan 91 06:45:14 GMT
From: hpda!hpcupt1!hpindwa![e-mail]  (Bob Joslin)
Subject: Re: THE BLUE PLANET

I've been eagerly waiting many months for The Blue Planet to come
out!  But, I live in the SF Bay Area.  The only IMAX theater I know
about is at Great America.  That's closed now, and they rarely
show any good IMAX films anyway.

There must be another IMAX theater around here somewhere!  Can
someone help me out?

Bob Joslin

------------------------------

Date: 23 Jan 91 20:57:35 GMT
From: van-bc!rsoft!mindlink![e-mail]  (Bruce Dunn)
Subject: Spaceflight:  New Delta Launcher

From "Spaceflight", January 1991

New Delta II Launched

     5 paragraph article.  On November 26, a Navstar satellite was launched on
a new Delta II variant termed the "7925 configuration". Relative to previous
Deltas, the vehicle uses larger solid boosters (Hercules "Graphite Epoxy
Motors", 6 feet longer than previous motors and providing 12,000 lbs more
thrust).  At the same time the nozzle of the first stage Rocketdyne RS-27A
engine (burning RP-1, a kerosene like fuel,  with liquid oxygen)  has been
modified to increase its expansion ratio from 8:1 to 12:1.


    Technical comment by poster: The main engine modification will increase
exhaust velocity in the upper atmosphere and space, possibly losing some
performance at the beginning of the launch due to exhaust overexpansion
(assuming that the chamber pressure was not increased at the same time - the
article does not mention chamber pressure). Overall the approach to improving
the performance of this venerable launcher appears to be to gain more of the
initial lift-off thrust from the strap-on solid boosters, and optimize the core
liquid fuel engine for performance later in the flight.



The monthly magazine "Spaceflight" may be received worldwide by mail through
membership in the British Interplanetary Society.  Details may be obtained
from:

British Interplanetary Society
27/29 South Lambeth Road
London  SW8 1SZ
England

--
Bruce Dunn   Vancouver, Canada    [e-mail]

------------------------------

Date: 21 Jan 91 15:36:22 GMT
From: mcsun!unido!mpirbn![e-mail]  (Daniel Fischer)
Subject: Re: HUBBLE REPORT

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Andrew Hartridge) writes:
>      If not can someone tell me the Report Ref. Number so I can get
>it on paper from the US Government Printing office (I presume it is
>they who publish it?)

Just make a phone call to NASA HQ and ask for "The H.S.T. Optical Systems
Failure Report". Don't expect anything like the Rogers Report: it's rather
thin and the printing quality is poor. Moreover, though it gives lots of
details on *what* errors were made, it doesn't answer the question of *why*
in any detail. Does someone know whether - like with the Rogers panel -
transcipts of the hearings will be made available or more documentation than
provided in the report?

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 22 Jan 91 15:44:44 -0500
From: "Allen W. Sherzer" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: space news from Dec 17 AW&ST
Newsgroups: sci.space
Cc:

In article <M06^#P|@rpi.edu>:
|||The U. S. manned space program almost ceased to exist in 1986 due to 1
||| failure in 25 flights.

||Had NASA been up front with the risks and run a better operation the
||Chalanger disaster PR fallout wouldn't have been that bad.

|Yes, NASA had great claims of the reliability, maintainability, and just plain
|ability of the space shuttle.  But NASA didn't get to build the Space Shuttle
|they wanted.

What difference does that make? The point is that *WHILE THE SHUTTLE WAS
OPERATIONAL* NASA made in word and deed wildly inaccurate statements about
the safety of the Shuttle. It doesn't matter what past history was.

When it became clear that the Shuttle in fact wasn't nearly that safe people
concluded that NASA either lied or didn't understand the situation. Either
conclusion would cause a rational person to wonder about the space program.

The public will accept risk if given an accurate assessment of the risks.

  Allen
--
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Allen W. Sherzer | America does best when it accepts a challenging mission. |
|   [e-mail]   | We invent well under pressure. Conversely, we stagnate   |
|                 | when caution prevails.   -- Buzz Aldrin                  |

------------------------------

Date: 23 Jan 91 18:25:46 GMT
From: att!news.cs.indiana.edu!ariel.unm.edu!nmsu!charon![e-mail]  (Bill Webber)
Subject: The Lotus Info CD, a.k.a. the ultimate junk mail address book ..


    I called that 800 number to get a removal packet, there was a taped
message saying that Lotus cancelled the project after 'reviewing' the effect
on public opinion, and that there now was no need to have a removal packet sent
to erase your names.   I still think that certain organizations will get a
complimentary copy on the sly, tho.   Scary.

                            k_macarthur
                (not bwebber, work for same)

------------------------------

Date: 23 Jan 91 21:23:40 GMT
From: sdd.hp.com!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!jato!mars.jpl.nasa.gov![e-mail]  (Ron Baalke)
Subject: Voyager Update - 01/23/91


                         VOYAGER STATUS REPORT
                            January 23, 1991

                              Voyager 1

     The Voyager 1 spacecraft collected routine UVS (Ultraviolet Spectromter)
data on sources HR 1350, HD 52089 and HD 58978.  On January 15, a frame of
PWS (Plasma Wave) data was recorded on the DTR (Digital Tape Recorder) for
future playback.  Round trip light time is 12 hours, 15 minutes.

     On January 15, shortly after a slew, the IRIS (Infrared Interferometer
Spectrometer and Radiometer) Primary Heater went into alarm due to heater
output dropping below the limits.  It is currently suspected that heater
output dropped due to solar heating caused by the pointing after the slew to
HD 52089.  A second slew on January 17 did not move the scan platform a large
amount but the heater output did change a little.  The alarm limit for this
heater was lowered temporarily and will probably be restored if data after
the next slew to the South Galactic Pole on January 24 warrants it.


                              Voyager 2

     The Voyager 2 spacecraft collected routine UVS data on sources 53 PER
and AKN 120.  On January 15, one frame of high-rate PWS data was recorded.
Round trip light time is 9 hours, 37 minutes.

     Also on January 15, science calibrations for PLS/MAG/LECP
(Plasma/Magnetometer/Low Energy Charged Particles) instruments were completed.
On January 16, another PLS/MAG/LECP science calibration was completed.  Both
sets of calibrations were as per predicts.  On January 17, the AACS (Attitude
and Articulation Control Subsystem) A & B gyroscopes were turned off thereby
completing the GYRO Conditioning.  A mini-sequence to investigate cause of the
unexpected gyro swap on January 10 is planned to be transmitted to the
spacecraft on January 28.


                CONSUMABLE STATUS AS OF 01/23/91

     P R O P E L L A N T    S T A T U S           P O W E R

               Consumption
                 One Week  Propellant Remaining Output Margin
     Spacecraft     (Gm)               (Kg)      Watts  Watts
      Voyager 1      6             36.2 + 2.0     366   55
      Voyager 2      5             39.2 + 2.0     370   61

      ___    _____     ___
     /_ /|  /____/ \  /_ /|
     | | | |  __ \ /| | | |      Ron Baalke         | [e-mail]
  ___| | | | |__) |/  | | |___   Jet Propulsion Lab | [e-mail]
 /___| | | |  ___/    | |/__ /|  M/S 301-355        |
 |_____|/  |_|/       |_____|/   Pasadena, CA 91109 |

------------------------------

Date: 22 Jan 91 20:17:29 GMT
From: amara![e-mail]  (Tim McDaniel)
Subject: Spacing Organizations


(1) What nations or organizations have launched objects into orbit?
    Obvious: USSR, European Space Agency, US, China, Japan.
    PLEASE RESPOND BY E-MAIL -- I'LL SUMMARIZE.  (If you can't e-mail,
    please don't bother replying to the net.)

(2) Near the end of last year, I saw a report that Iraq had launched
    something into orbit.  I saw no followup, confirming or denying.
    Can anyone say yea or nay?

--
Tim McDaniel                 Applied Dynamics Int'l.; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Work phone: [phone]                        Home phone: [phone]
Internet: [e-mail]                UUCP: {uunet,sharkey}!amara!mcdaniel

------------------------------

Date: 24 Jan 91 07:22:19 GMT
From: amethyst!organpipe!hindmost![e-mail]  (Richard Clark x4971)
Subject: Explanatory Supplement to the AA


Where is the new edition of the Explanatory Supplement? Is it available yet?

I haven't been able to find it in either the library or Books in Print
although I have seen people mention it as if it was near at hand. Perhapse
they have a draft version?

------------------------------

Date: 25 Jan 91 00:49:31 GMT
From: swrinde!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!jato!mars.jpl.nasa.gov![e-mail]  (Ron Baalke)
Subject: Galileo Update #3 - 01/24/91


                       GALILEO STATUS REPORT
                          January 24, 1991

     The Galileo spacecraft is about 22.7 million miles from
Earth, and its speed in solar orbit is 82,880 mph.  It has flown
nearly 736 million miles since launch in October 1989, and has
1.6 billion miles to go before reaching Jupiter in December 1995.
Round-trip communication time is just over 4 minutes.

     Spacecraft health and mission performance continue to be
excellent.  Galileo is now in the all-spin mode as it was in its
first two weeks of flight, rotating at about 2.9 rpm and
routinely turning to re-point the spin axis at the Sun about
every other day.  It is also routinely collecting data on
interplanetary dust and magnetic fields.

     On Thursday, January 31, the spacecraft will switch Earth
communications from its second Low Gain Antenna, mounted on the
shady side of the spacecraft, to the primary Low Gain Antenna
mounted at the peak of the sunny side.  This is because Galileo
will cross Earth's orbit in three weeks, and the spacecraft-Earth
geometry is changing and moving Earth into that antenna's
pattern.
      ___    _____     ___
     /_ /|  /____/ \  /_ /|      Ron Baalke         | [e-mail]
     | | | |  __ \ /| | | |      Jet Propulsion Lab |
  ___| | | | |__) |/  | | |___   M/S 301-355        | It's 10PM, do you know
 /___| | | |  ___/    | |/__ /|  Pasadena, CA 91109 | where your spacecraft is?
 |_____|/  |_|/       |_____|/                      | We do!

------------------------------

End of SPACE Digest V13 #083
*******************